What causes Dandruff, and how to treat it naturally?

Do you often feel disappointed in yourself whenever you see tiny white flakes on your black dress when you attend a party or meeting with official delegates? Though you always maintain your hair care routine! It’s none other than DANDRUFF! It can come back after cleaning your hair. There are several reasons for this happening.

Let’s discuss what it is, its causes, symptoms, and prevention.

It happens when dead skin cells on the scalp do not fall normally. Instead of shedding one by one, these cells stick together and come off as visible white flakes from the outer layer of the skin.

The size and amount of these flakes can be different in various parts of the scalp and may change over time. Sometimes, the flakes contain immature skin cells that have not developed properly. When more of these immature cells are present, it tends to be more severe.

An oily scalp can also make the condition worse, leading to more flakes and irritation. (Ranganathan and Mukhopadhyay, 2010) 

It can have several causes, which makes it tricky to figure out exactly why your scalp feels itchy and flakes. Here are some common factors that may be responsible for dandruff formation.

• Excess sebum (skin’s natural oil) secretions from the scalp.
• Oily & sweaty scalp
• Dry scalp from overusing shampoo
• Sun damage
• A buildup of fungus on your skin
• A yeast called Malassezia that irritates the scalp and causes excess skin cell growth.
• Not shampooing properly, which creates cell accumulation & itching
• Reaction to harsh chemical-based products
• Exposure to greasy & dusty areas.
• Lack of a proper nutrient-rich diet.

It is commonly associated with the fungus Malassezia, which naturally lives on the scalp and grows more easily in an oily scalp. It can exist in different forms, such as yeast and fungal strands, depending on the scalp condition. When the scalp barrier becomes weak due to dryness, over-shampooing, or frequent combing, the scalp becomes more prone to flaking and irritation. In dandruff, the yeast form is more common, while other skin infections may show the fungal form. Certain triggers, like excess oil, dryness, or heavy scaling, can cause Malassezia to grow excessively and contribute to dandruff and scalp irritation.

Based on recent developments, it can be divided into two distinct stages. 

Primary Stage:

• Personal scalp -related causes

• Non-microbial triggers like oil, dryness, or irritation

Secondary Stage:

• Growth of microbes or fungus

• Different reactions in different people (Manuel and Ranganathan, 2011)

• Skin flakes on the scalp, hair, and sometimes eyebrows

• Itching on the scalp

• Irritated patches on the scalp

• Hair loss

Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a common skin condition that causes flaky, greasy, and inflamed skin, mainly on the scalp and face, which are areas rich with sebaceous glands. In babies, it usually appears within the first few months and naturally clears on its own. In adults, it can come and go repeatedly and may affect daily comfort and confidence. (Tucker, Syed and Masood, 2024)

Dandruff is a mild scalp disorder that causes white flakes and itching with little or no inflammation. It is closely related to seborrhoeic dermatitis, which is a more severe condition causing redness, irritation, and scaling beyond the scalp. Dandruff is mainly due to excessive shedding of dead skin cells and usually responds quickly to treatment, though it may return at times. (Ranganathan and Mukhopadhyay, 2010)

• Wash Hair Regularly: Use mild, gentle shampoo to control natural oil dripping from scalp.

• Avoid Harsh Products: Select scalp-friendly, harsh chemical-free products.

• pH-balancing Shampoo: Use a dry scalp pH-balancing shampoo.

• Stay Hydrated: Drink lots of water.

• Proper Diet: Include nutrition reach diet.

• Stress Management: Exercise to manage stress that triggers dandruff. (Kalra, 2026) 

This should be chosen according to the cause and scalp condition of each person. It should be identified whether it is caused mainly by fungal growth or other scalp factors before starting treatment.

Early and proper care is important to prevent the condition from becoming more severe in the future.  

• Neem Leaf Powder: 

Neem leaves contain potent components like Nimbin, Nimbinin, and others that inhibit harmful fungal growth that cause dandruff & scalp itchiness by promoting hair growth.

• Tea Tree Essential Oil: 

With terpinen-4-ol and antifungal properties, keep your scalp clean from grime and dead skin cells and help treat dandruff, keeping hair follicles free of build-up, preventing excessive hair fall. It is also helpful for dry scalp dandruff conditions.

• Eucalyptus Essential Oil: 

Eucalyptus Oil containing eucalyptol has a cooling effect, soothing irritation and redness. It fights against dandruff, promotes blood circulation, and eliminates any inflammation or fungal invasion on the scalp. Also helpful for stress relief. 

• Virgin Coconut Oil: 

Anti-inflammatory & antioxidant properties with lauric acid purify the skin & scalp, reduce dandruff by controlling fungal growth, and soothe while reducing scalp itching. It also moisturizes the hair and scalp, which is helpful for dry scalp & dandruff.

• Aloe Vera Gel: 

Rich in antioxidants, vitamin E, and aloe emodin, it is an effective natural ingredient. It helps to break down sebum and product buildup, nourishes the scalp, boosts hair growth, reduces dandruff, controls dryness, and keeps hair soft, strong, and frizz-free.

• Apple Cider Vinegar: 

With Acetic acid, it is rich in antibacterial and antifungal properties that help reduce dandruff, itching, and scalp buildup. It is also helpful to maintain a healthy scalp pH.

• Fenugreek Seeds:

It is an excellent home remedy to control dandruff. Containing Antibacterial & antifungal properties, it is helpful to tackle Malassezia yeast, causing scalp flakes. With protein content, it also strengthens hair and reduces hair fall. 

Dandruff and an itchy scalp are not serious conditions, but they can become stubborn and serious if left untreated or ignored. Understanding the causes and taking appropriate steps based on the condition are effective in controlling and relieving the problems. 

Natural ingredients like Aloe Vera Gel, Neem leaf Powder, Tea Tree Essential Oil, and Coconut Oil help control dandruff, reduce itching, and nourish the scalp. With regular care with natural remedies, you can keep your scalp clean, healthy, and flake-free. 

• Ranganathan, S. and Mukhopadhyay, T., 2010. DANDRUFF: THE MOST COMMERCIALLY EXPLOITED SKIN DISEASE. Indian Journal of Dermatology, 55(2), p.130. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2887514/
• Piérard‐Franchimont, C., Xhauflaire‐Uhoda, E. and Piérard, G.E., 2006. Revisiting dandruff. International journal of cosmetic science, 28(5), pp.311-318. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1111/j.1467-2494.2006.00326.x
• Tucker, D., Syed, H.A. and Masood, S., 2024. Seborrheic dermatitis. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551707/
• Manuel, F. and Ranganathan, S., 2011. A new postulate on two stages of dandruff: a clinical perspective. International journal of trichology, 3(1), pp.3-6. https://journals.lww.com/ijot/fulltext/2011/03010/a_new_postulate_on_two_stages_of_dandruff__a.2.aspx
• Kalra, Dr. K, 2026. Home remedies for Dandruff: Tips for preventing Dandruff & Itchy Scalp: Max hospital, Home Remedies For Dandruff: Tips For Preventing Dandruff & Itchy Scalp | Max Hospital. Available at: https://www.maxhealthcare.in/blogs/home-remedies-for-dandruff